Auto Industry NewsAnd Car Reviews

Going on years, industry analysts have drooled with anticipation over what will likely be the greatest slugmatch in the American automotive realm over the next decade, or the introduction of a new generation of half-ton pickup trucks. Chevrolet, it would seem, is leading the pack of Detroit’s Big Three in an effort to generate preemptive media buzz.

For the first time ever, we have official General Motors footage of what the incoming Chevy Silverado will look like and, more importantly, how it will drive with weight in tow. Because, as any true American knows, a pickup truck is only as good as the bragging rights the vehicle affords.

In this case, we’ve got an accelerating Silverado travelling uphill on a windy mountain pass with a substantial rear load. Although the video remains silent, we can still imagine a throaty roar, the wind in our hair, and an utter lack of concern for truck capability.

Volvo has announced a recall of 1,469 S80 models made between 2011-2013. It seems that a factory error has caused a fault within the transmission of these cars. When coasting, the car is unable to downshift which could cause a multitude of problems from stalling to acceleration problems -- all of which could cause potentially dangerous road conditions for drivers and other motorists alike. Volvo has planned to begin its recall next week, but owners can call Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 to schedule a free fix.

A couple weeks ago, Mitsubishi teased the upcoming Outlander PHEV, which it will show at the Paris Motor Show. While it hasn't yet announced plans for North American production, new reports indicate Mitsubishi will offer a line of hybrids and electrics here.

Mitsubishi kicked off its North American electric presence with this year's iMiev, which won an EPA best with its 112 mpg-e rating. AutoGuide reports that the Japanese automaker is currently looking at the feasibility of developing a broader electric American lineup. The report doesn't get into specific models, outside of the Outlander PHEV that we already know about.

The report is a follow-up to Autocar's revelation that Mitsubishi will electrify its entire fleet in the UK. According to the magazine, Mitsubishi will offer a hybrid or electric powertrain, alongside a gas engine option, on all its offerings.

A few short months ago, Mazda provided a preview of the upcoming 2014 Mazda6 in the form of the Takeri concept. Mazda is moving toward the production-Mazda6 reveal at this fall's Paris Motor Show, and it has released the first teaser clip of the car.

While the teaser clip isn't nearly as interesting as a sexy concept like the Takeri, it affirms that at least part of the production Mazda6 will look a whole lot like the concept. The clip gives us a look at the driver's-left side of the front fascia, showing a grille and headlight that look quite Takeri. The grille is the same five-point design that we'd expect, and there's a similar chrome line connecting the grille to the headlamp.

Last month, BMW and Toyota announced an expansion of their working relationship and mentioned that part of the agreement will include joint work on a sports car. The statement made the expanded relationship sound largely like a trade-off: Toyota's expertise in hybrid powertrains for BMW's expertise in sports cars. In a report that essentially puts itself together, the sports car in question may be the rumored Supra successor.

We've been hearing about a Supra successor for a while now. With Toyota known to be working with BMW on a sports car, it would make sense that that sports car be a mid-level/high-end coupe like the Supra. While Automotive News Europe doesn't know this for a fact, it cites a "BMW insider" in speculating that the sports car could indeed be a new Supra successor, possibly based on the new 6 Series architecture.

Mini has realized that its Countryman isn't all that well defined. According to a new report, the BMW minicar brand plans to rectify the situation by replacing the Countryman with two separate models. It will introduce a family-hauling MPV and a harder, more believable SUV.

Though the Mini Countryman has been defined as a crossover, and it comes with optional all-wheel drive, it's a bit hard to accept an elongated, five-door Cooper as a true crossover. And it's not really a family hauler for grown up Mini fanatics, either. For all intents and purposes, it's basically just the awkward largest car in a brand that's defined by tiny cars.

Bentley's EXP 9 F SUV concept has been controversial, to say the least. At least that's the way it has seemed to be received in the western world - Bentley reportedly developed the car for China, so we'll assume they dig it over there. Whatever the case, it seems like Bentley is determined to offer an SUV, and since it's already done all the work on the EXP 9 F, we think they'll use a little, if not most, of the design from the concept in an eventual production model. In other words, get used to it because it's probably not going anywhere. Bentley helps break you in with some new photos and video.

The EXP 9 F is hot off its first U.K. public appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. According to at least one account, the Brits didn't like it much better than other Europeans, Americans and the general YouTube population.

That hasn't gotten Bentley down, however. Bentley reiterates its intent to build the fastest, most luxurious SUV in the world and shows the concept in some new video.

A Fiat 500 crossover is the type of rumor you can't believe until you see it with your own eyes. Fiat has given us just the opportunity by flashing a quick preview of the 500X before an audience equipped with cameras. It may have been a launch event for the extended-wheelbase 500L, but the real story was the 500X.

Fiat gave attendees at the Italian launch event a look at the biggest 500 and then quickly pulled a curtain back over the upcoming model. It's not clear when Fiat will give the world a proper look, but it is clear that a 500X is on the way.

After what seems like months of rumors, BMW has finally decided to officially announce the return of one of the hottest hatches around -- the M Coupe, dubbed the M135i in this new iteration. Call it whatever you like, the next Coupe will certainly be a stormer. We last saw the shooting brake Bimmer in 2008 in the form of the less-than-exciting Z4 variant, but the 2013 version has thankfully turned up the heat since its last appearance. The M135i looks more like a hot rod VW Golf than roller-skate look of the previous version. Whether that is good or bad, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but obviously BMW approves.

In an interesting move, France has passed a law that requires every vehicle in the country to carry its own breathalyzer. Not only will drivers suspected of drunk driving have to take the test, they'll have to supply it.

Outside of shifting some of the cost of breathalyzer equipment from state to citizen, the law doesn't really appear to do a whole lot. If it required a breathalyzer-based ignition system, it might actually do something to cut down on drunk driving. But since it basically just means throwing a breathalyzer in the glove compartment, it really doesn't seem to have much juice.

Cowboys might want to consider ditching their big diesel pickup trucks in favor of the real horse power of their ancestors. A new study shows that repair costs relating to the dreaded "check engine" light are highest in some of the states where cows and cowpokes still graze freely. CarMD, manufacturer of the Vehicle Health System diagnostic tool, released its study results last month.

It's a fateful moment for any driver: The brightly colored check engine light pops on during an otherwise routine drive, and your mind immediately starts racing. You're thinking about everything from when your last oil change was to whether you secured the gas cap after your last fill up to cashing out your entire bond and stock portfolio in order to pay for a full emissions system overhaul. It's not a good day.